» bittersweet dreams

New releases: April 29, 2013

April 29, 2013

Finding Shelter by M.J. O’Shea

Justin just escaped nineteen years of trouble. Logan is nursing a broken heart. With a little luck, maybe they can heal each other. Finding Shelter by M.J. O’Shea, available from Dreamspinner Press.

Rock Bay: Book Three

Justin Foster has nineteen years of nothing but trouble behind him. After escaping his abusive father, he finds himself in Rock Bay, Washington, with his cousin Travis. Justin is bruised and has a hard time trusting, but with the help of his family and the small town, he might be able to heal.

Logan O’Brien is also new in town, hoping he can finally get away from his past and the memories of the girlfriend who shattered his heart. It doesn’t take him long to realize Rock Bay can be more than safe harbor: it can also be home. And for the first time in his life, he finds himself captivated by a man—by Justin.

Justin is attracted to Logan too, but he’s also wary. Physically, Logan reminds him a bit too much of the closeted jerks who used to beat him up after school. But after one awkwardly amazing kiss, he’s smitten, despite how his past and insecurities continue to haunt him. Logan’s love, faith, and stubbornness are just what Justin needs to believe their love is worth fighting for.

Length: Novel (204p.) | Genre: Contemporary | Release Date: April 29, 2013 | Buy as eBook (ISBN: 978-1-62380-595-1) | Buy as Paperback (ISBN: 978-1-62380-594-4)

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Sins of Another by Jessica Skye Davies

After finding Nick cheating, Padrig is abducted and forced into prostitution. Finally he escapes—with HIV. Can he and Nick heal? Sins of Another by Jessica Skye Davies, available from Dreamspinner Press.

One morning Padrig Kennedy comes home to find his partner, Nick Glenfielding, in bed with another man. Shocked, hurt, and vulnerable, Padrig flees and meets a stranger who seems to offer comfort—but he force-feeds Padrig a steady diet of drugs and prostitution instead. When he finally surfaces from his hell, it’s to another system shock: he’s now HIV positive.

Nick descends into darkness as well. Devastated by losing Padrig, he finds no consolation in the legal career he doesn’t love and tries to find solace in alcohol, spending his days in an ever-deepening haze.

Padrig and Nick find each other again, but their relationship can never be the same. If they’re to stand any chance of a future together, they must do the improbable: make sense of the past and learn to cope with new burdens they’ll bear for life.

A Bittersweet Dreams title: It’s an unfortunate truth: love doesn’t always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.

Length: Novel (216p.) | Genre: Bittersweet Dream, Contemporary | Release Date: April 29, 2013 |Buy as eBook (ISBN: 978-1-62380-471-8) | Buy as Paperback (ISBN: 978-1-62380-470-1)

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Stubborn Heart by Ken Murphy

Mark has sworn off dating, but Trevor wants a relationship. Mark must choose to guard his heart or give it completely. Stubborn Heart by Ken Murphy, available from Dreamspinner Press.

After breaking up with his cheating boyfriend, Mark Smith keeps life simple: his nursing career and a place of his own, but no dating. He’s steering clear of romance and the heartbreak that goes with it. After losing both parents and having all his relationships fail, he figures happily ever after is a myth.

When Dr. Trevor Hayes crosses Mark’s path at the hospital, he falls hard for Mark. The attraction is clearly mutual, and Trevor is determined to parlay that attraction into a relationship. Mark is just as determined to avoid exactly that.

But Trevor chips away at Mark’s resistance, and facing hardship and sorrow together brings them closer. Still, Mark can’t shake his belief that their romance is temporary—until he’s unexpectedly faced with the danger that he might lose Trevor for good. Mark must choose between guarding his heart and giving it completely, the risk he swore never to take again.

Length: Novel (224p.) | Genre: Contemporary |Release Date: April 29, 2013 |Buy as eBook (ISBN: 978-1-62380-475-6) | Buy as Paperback (ISBN: 978-1-62380-474-9)

Erasing Shame by Yeyu

February 22, 2013

Haunted by a childhood promise he never had the chance to fulfill, Shicai must choose between his feelings and his values. Erasing Shame by Yeyu, available from Dreamspinner Press.

The son of a Han traitor who had let the Xianbei Mongols invade the borders, Jiang Shicai swears to restore his family’s honor, hoping to better the Hans’ lives through peaceful means. He believes violence is never the answer, but to gain respect, he finds himself fighting for the Xianbei.

Ten years later, an annoying but handsome playboy, Dugu Xuechi, arrives as the incompetent new military inspector of Shicai’s region. Shameless, irresponsible, and obnoxious, Xuechi tests Shicai’s patience almost every second. Despite their mutual dislike, Shicai finds himself drawn to the capricious man, especially when he sees the resemblance between Xuechi and his deceased best friend. Yet Xuechi’s self-destructive behavior and refusal to accept help require attention that distracts Shicai from his goal for peace–and it doesn’t help that Xuechi is Shicai’s strongest political opposition. Haunted by a childhood promise he never had the chance to fulfill, Shicai must choose between his feelings and his values.

A Bittersweet Dreams title: It’s an unfortunate truth: love doesn’t always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.

Length: Novel | Genre: Historical – Asia, Bittersweet Dreams | Buy as eBook | Buy as Paperback

Exile by Lola Lebellier

February 8, 2013

Aless, Corin, and the other guardians will face abuse, attack, and even death in their quest to save their world. Exile by Lola Lebellier, available from Dreamspinner Press.

Once, in the land of Nier, five elemental spirits terrorized the land. To contain them, five humans sacrificed themselves, losing their bodies and minds. It wasn’t until decades later, when a set of restraints was formed, that the vessels could live normal lives and take their rightful places as leaders of their clans.

Now Aless of Serac, Guardian of Water, has returned from exile, a punishment for embarking on a killing frenzy when his restraints broke. He soon discovers all the restraints are breaking, and if he cannot find a solution, chaos will follow. But Aless can’t solve this problem on his own.

Though Corin of Zephyr has large reserves of mana, the trait that signifies proficiency with natural magic, he shows little aptitude for casting spells or using his power. But that doesn’t bother him as much as the threat from the breaking restraints. Together, he and Aless might find a solution—but as the restraints begin to crumble, it becomes clear that their situation is more dangerous than anyone could have foreseen: Aless, Corin, and the other guardians will face abuse, attack, and even death in their quest to save their world.

A Bittersweet Dreams title: It’s an unfortunate truth: love doesn’t always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.

Length: Novel | Genre: High Fantasy, Bittersweet Dreams | Buy as eBook | Buy as Paperback

Ghosts in the Wind by Marguerite Labbe

October 31, 2012

When a killer separates Andrei and Dean, Dean refuses to let go until they solve the mystery of his death. Ghosts in the Wind by Marguerite Labbe, available from Dreamspinner Press.

Andrei Cuza and Dean Marshall celebrated their tenth anniversary only to have their happiness shattered by a random, insane event: On his way home from closing a business deal, Dean stops on the parkway to help a young mother with her flat tire, and her ex arrives, murders them, and takes off with his two kids.

Ghosts have haunted Andrei all his life. He bears the guilt for his sister being stuck in limbo, because ghosts are frozen at the moment they died, unable to adapt to the changes in their living loved ones. When Dean returns to Andrei as a ghost, the double punch of losing him and having to watch him founder if he doesn’t move on is almost more than Andrei can bear.

Despite dangers in limbo—Jackal Wraiths that devour souls are hunting him—Dean isn’t going anywhere until he helps Andrei track down the missing children. Andrei is in danger as well when he pays dearly to feel Dean’s touch one last time. Time is slowly running out as Dean and Andrei try to say good-bye while they track a killer who’s more than happy to kill again.

A Bittersweet Dreams title: It’s an unfortunate truth: love doesn’t always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.

Length: Novel | Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal: Ghosts/Spirits | Buy as eBook | Buy as Paperback

Silver Lining by Chris T. Kat

September 26, 2012

Riley needs to understands the pressure Scott has been under—and the danger they’re both in. Silver Lining by Chris T. Kat, available from Dreamspinner Press.

Riley doesn’t understand why his relationship with Scott went downhill overnight. For weeks, he’s been trying to get the other man to talk to him, but Scott is distant—most of the time he just ignores Riley completely. It isn’t until a mutual acquaintance arrives at their home that Riley understands the pressure Scott has been under—and the danger they’re both in.

Length: Novella
Genre: Bittersweet Dreams, Ghosts/Spirits

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Skin Deep by Adrienne Wilder

July 9, 2012

When Taylor’s love is no longer enough to sustain Joey, he’ll have to decide what he’s willing to do to survive. Skin Deep by Adrienne Wilder, available from Dreamspinner Press.

A Gray Zone novel

Taylor Simmons has everything he’s ever wanted: a decent job, a nice apartment, and Joey Martin, his perfect geek boyfriend. But all that is about to change.

First Joey gets sick. He’s feverish for days, starving for food. Finally a terrified Taylor calls EMS only to be told there’s nothing they can do. Joey’s body is changing, and he’s not going to be Human anymore. He’s a Lesser-Bred.

Suddenly Taylor, who has always taken care of Joey, can’t even begin to fulfill his needs. Joey needs to eat—to feed. And that means he needs a sexual connection with Gabriel, a Lesser-Bred being kept by a Kin named Pavel. Stripped of his job, his cushy apartment, and his connection to the sweet, dorky Joey he fell in love with, Taylor struggles to maintain a sense of identity—and humanity—in Atlanta’s Gray Zone, where Human dreams become nightmares. Suddenly it’s Taylor, not Joey, who needs to be protected. Because the people around him are dying, and if Taylor doesn’t open his eyes, he might be next.

Length: Novel

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal, Bittersweet Dreams

Series: Gray Zone

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Paying the Piper by Jaime Samms

May 21, 2012

Michael isn’t used to casino blackjack dealers telling him to cash in, but that’s what Daniel Aldaine does, recognizing the group of men waiting to collect what Michael owes them. He even fronts Michael the money he’s short to get the goons off his back. It’s the beginning of the best relationship Michael’s ever known, but a problem he doesn’t even recognize he has could end it all.

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Genre: Contemporary, Bittersweet Dreams

Length: Short story

The Snow Vampire by Michael G. Cornelius

February 29, 2012

Hendrick and Ferenc must choose between a world that will condemn them and the snow vampire that could kill them. The Snow Vampire by Michael G. Cornelius, available from Dreamspinner Press.

In 1914 Hungary, Hendrik and Ferenc hide their love amidst the deserted ruins in the hills above their tiny, sheltered town. Hendrik is engaged to Ferenc’s younger sister, and a place to escape the rigid strictures of their families is worth braving the legend of the snagov vrolok—the snow vampire—who is said will claim the blood and flesh of anyone foolish enough to wander near.

Yet sometimes dark tales are based on truth, and something wicked does lurk in the abandoned monastery. Suddenly the lovers find themselves faced with a heartbreaking choice: brave a world in which their love is impossible or face the evil that lives in the snowy heart of a cold Carpathian mountain.

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Genre: Bittersweet Dreams, Fantasy/Paranormal, Historical—Europe
Length: Novella

Between Love and Honor by E E Montgomery

November 23, 2011

Between Love and Honor by E E Montgomery

It’s 1914 and David looks up from his Post Office counter to see the man of his dreams. Carl is everything he’s ever wanted, but Australia has laws against ‘deviants’ and the two men must be circumspect. When World War I breaks out, Carl tries to enlist but is rejected. People see his delicate features and stature and assume he’s ‘less than a man’. He’s scorned for not doing his duty while David is applauded for serving his country at home. Public condemnation turns violent, and Carl and David are torn between love and honor.

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Genre: Historical, Bittersweet Dreams
Length: Short story

Burnt Offerings by Pearl Love

October 26, 2011

Will a death sentence be Alen’s end or his salvation? Burnt Offerings by Pearl Love, available from Dreamspinner Press.

On his way home from the market, beautiful and shy Alen is accosted by local ruffians who try to take advantage of his innocence. When Alen attempts to defend his virtue, the situation takes a turn for the worse and he accidentally slays one of the men. Now he faces the mockery that is the town’s justice. The penalty for murder: a slow, painful death upon the altar of the mighty god of fire. Alen’s sentence is gleefully announced by the village priest, a loathsome man who promises deliverance if only the lovely boy will submit to depraved pleasures.

But Alen has a secret, one to which he desperately clings even though it may cost him his life. For many years, Alen has watched the flames dance in his mother’s hearth, the mystery that dwells in the bright glow alleviating his loneliness and offering endless fascination. When the time comes to face his destiny upon the pyre, Alen hopes that the fire’s magical embrace might hold the key to his salvation. But will the flames herald his destruction even as all of his prayers are answered?

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Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal, Bittersweet Dreams
Length: Novella